Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-08
EASTERN NEWS.
Cleveland Declines to At
tend the Meeting
OF VETERANS AT ST. LOUIS
Because of the Hostility which has
been Displayed by Members
of the Grand Army

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALr
WAsHTNGToN, July Under date o.
July 4th, President Cleveland writes tC
Mayor Francis of st. Louis, stating that
on account of hostile expressions on the
part of certain members of the G. A. r.
in regard to the propriety of his visiting
st. Louis at the time of the National
Encampment, he has decided not to
make the visit. He refuses to believe
the G. A. r. deem it a part of their
mission to col: pass any object by at
tempting to coerce the Executive, yet
the expressions indicate an intention to
mar an occasion that should be har-
monious. He wonld submit to insult
rather than disappoint the citizens if he
alone were concerned. If, however, any
are determined to denoupce him and
his acts at the encsmpment he believes
they should be permitted to do 80 un.
restrained by his presence. He con-
cludes by extending his hearty thanks
for. the kindness of the citizens.
PINIoN IN ST LOUIS
The Presidents letter to Mayor Fran
els Withdrawing his acceptance of the
invitation of the people of st. Louis to
visit the city during the G. A. R. en-.
csmpment has stirred up hot and diver.
sified expressions OF opinion. The com.
mittee that took the invitation to the
President feel that their labor has been
in vain, and are strong in denunciation
of the men who we're instrumental in
the defeat of their plan. Their friends
are equally displeased. especially so as
the citizens generally OF st. Louis had
made great effort to induce the Presi-
dent to make the visit. The chagrin
was SO great with many that they wished
to organize immediately to invite the
Grand Army to find another place
for their encampment, and some
promised very icy reception to the
gallant soldiers. There were many 9TH
ers, however, who saw the wisdom of
the Presidents course and were pleased
that the city had been humiliated,
but agree that the Grand Army
shall be glorious
success, aud that at some other
time the President shall have recep-
tion in keeping with the high office he
holds. A committee has been appointed
to draft resolutions to be submitted to
mass meeting of citizens that will be
called to assemble at the Merchants
Exchange tomorrow afternoon. These
resolutions will embody an invitation to
the President to visit the city during
the fair week, early in October, or at
some other time that may suit his con-
venience, and will promise him an
reception. A citizens
will then be appointed to
again visit the President and endeavor
to induce him to come.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, July Z. 7.-General Lande's
Post No 5 of the Grand Army Of the
Repuiic of Lynn, Mass, which arrived
here last night from Virginia, called on
the President this evening and was re-
ceived the East room. When the
President came down stairs to receive
the visitors, Post Commander
advanced and said, "Com-
TduS5 Vi OcucIot bduuc OSt,
No. 5, 1 propose three cheers for
Grover Cleveland, President of the United
States." The veterans gave three cheers
and tiger with vigor and earnestness
that made the air ring as its re.echoes
died away. The President, with
smile. addressed the visitors as
follows: II can only say to you,
gentlemen, that l am glad to meet
you here. have extended to you this
as / have lately with much
pleasure to the other posts of the Grand
Army of the Republic on their way
home from visits to southern friends. l
want you to understand that I have lost
no confidence in the Grand Army of the
Republic as an organization notwith.
standing recent occurrences to which it
is not necessary to further allude. tits
ncomprehensible to me that men who
have risked their lives to save the Gov.
should return home to abate
one jot of the respect or support which
every good citizen owes the Government
and its constituted authorities. I greet
you then as citizens, as we'll as veter.
ans, and / shall be pleased to take you
ali by the hand"